Best of Rome, Tuscany & Florence

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Rome, Tuscany, Florence

This private tour of Italy is ideal for first-time visitors and repeat visitors alike—it's a relaxed, luxurious tour of the cultural, culinary, and artistic highlights of Rome, the Tuscan countryside, and Florence. Stay at beautiful hotels and enjoy personalized touring with your own guides and drivers.

Begin with four nights in Rome and explore the best of Roman culture, history and lifestyle. Discover ancient pagan and Christian monuments, the splendors of Baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches, and the surprising urban additions of the modern city. Highlights include the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Via Veneto, the morning fruit and flower market of Campo dei Fiori, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Jewish Quarter, Villa Borghese, the ruins along the Appian Way, beautiful Aventine Hill, the catacombs and "Underground Rome." During free time in Rome, enjoy la dolce vita and the city's excellent cuisine.

One day, take a private excursion to Tivoli for a tour of Hadrian’s Villa and the spectacular water gardens of Villa d’Este.  

Next, travel through the olive groves and vineyards of Tuscany. Explore celebrated hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano en route to a luxurious country retreat for an overnight stay in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. While there, explore the region according to your interests. Perhaps enjoy wine tasting, explore backstreets in beautiful towns such as Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, visit gardens, listen to Gregorian chanting at a monastery, or browse for olive oil, wine, baskets, cheeses, olive wood, and ceramics.

Continue to Florence for three nights. During your private city touring, experience Florence according to your interests. You might like to explore the market squares, antique districts and artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district. Perhaps visit the world-renowned Uffizi or smaller museums such as the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum. Learn about Tuscan cuisine at specialty food shops and the wonderful Mercato Centrale. Tour the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Enjoy plenty of free time for leisurely meals and time to stroll along the river and shop for Florentine gold jewelry, handmade paper, gloves, leather, antiques and housewares.

The tour concludes with a memorable night of Italian-style luxury at exclusive La Posta Vecchia, an elegant hotel overlooking the sea that was formerly the home of J. Paul Getty. The basement houses a museum showcasing the ruins of an ancient Roman villa that still remains under the property. Enjoy the excellent restaurant, spa, and beautiful gardens and interiors before departing Italy.